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OpenAI To Acquire Former Apple Designer’s Company For $6.5 Billion
- Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
- Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager
OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, announced on Wednesday the acquisition of the company io for $6.5 billion. The startup, co-founded over a year ago by former Apple designer Jony Ive, was created to develop new AI devices. The all-stock deal represents OpenAI’s largest investment to date.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- Sam Altman announced the purchase of the design company IO for $6.5 billion on Wednesday.
- The new deal represents OpenAI’s biggest acquisition.
- Altman says they have already developed a prototype of a new AI device and described it as “the coolest piece of technology.”
Last year, OpenAI announced it began collaborating with Ive —known for his iconic iPhone design and vision for future technologies—and his company LoveFrom on a secret project related to generative AI devices. Ive also co-founded io, a separate AI-focused venture, alongside designers Evans Hankey, Scott Cannon, and Tang Tan, which has now been acquired by OpenAI.
OpenAI announced the acquisition with a personal touch: a cinematic video featuring a conversation between Ive and Altman in San Francisco, and a poem-like joint statement accompanied by a photo of the two as friends, highlighting the close relationship they have built over the past few years. Ive will remain the design leader of the company.
“I think we have the opportunity to kind of completely reimagine what it means to use a computer,” says Altman’s voice at the beginning of the video.
“The products that we’re using to deliver and connect us to unimaginable technology. They’re decades old, yeah, and so it’s just common sense to at least think surely there’s something beyond these legacy products we have,” adds Ive.
Sam & Jony introduce io pic.twitter.com/ej5K59kJq3 — OpenAI (@OpenAI) May 21, 2025
Ive’s mission will focus on developing devices that integrate ChatGPT, taking into account the current capabilities of AI systems—including reasoning, processing different types of information, and “seeing” through device cameras—as well as the future potential of the technology.
“The io team, focused on developing products that inspire, empower, and enable, will now merge with OpenAI to work more closely with the research, engineering, and product teams in San Francisco,” states the document signed “Sam & Jony.”
“The io team, focused on developing products that inspire, empower and enable, will now merge with OpenAI to work more intimately with the research, engineering and product teams in San Francisco,” states the document signed “Sam & Jony.”
“As io merges with OpenAI, Jony and LoveFrom will assume deep design and creative responsibilities across OpenAI and io. We could not possibly be more excited.”
According to Reuters , the companies didn’t disclose the full financial details, only the $6.5 billion all-stock deal, as revealed by a source familiar with the matter.
The leaders didn’t share specifics of the AI devices they are developing either, but Altam said in the video they already have a prototype and described it as “the coolest piece of technology the world will have ever seen.”
Photo by Anthony on Unsplash
Microsoft Adds Over 50 Retro Games To Xbox Game Pass
- Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
- Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager
Microsoft’s gaming brand, Xbox, announced on Wednesday that it will add over 50 Retro Classic games from the 1980s and 1990s to its platform for Xbox Game Pass members. The collection includes titles such as Grand Prix, Pitfall, and Commando.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- Xbox announced that it will add over 50 Retro Classic games from the 80s and 90s.
- Retro Classic includes titles such as Grand Prix, Pitfall, and Commando.
- The gaming company promised to add more games soon.
According to the announcement , the Retro Classic initiative is part of the company’s mission to preserve games and offer players timeless experiences with compatibility on modern devices.
“We’re thrilled to announce the launch of Retro Classics, a collaboration between Xbox and Antstream Arcade, available to play for Game Pass members globally,” states the document. “Starting today, Game Pass members can dive into a collection of 50+ classic Activision games from the ’80s and ’90s.”
Xbox highlighted titles such as Kaboom!, Grand Prix, Mech Warrior 2: 31st Century Combat, Commando, and Pitfall, and shared a video to promote the new experiences users can expect from these additions to the platform.
Game Pass members will be able to access the Retro Classics from the console, PC, and devices with cloud gaming by installing the new feature. Microsoft’s gaming team also added competitive features to encourage players to interact with other users.
“Additionally, players can take on friends, rivals, or the entire world with unique challenges,” wrote Dean Shimabukuro, Product Marketing Manager at Xbox, in the announcement. “or the achievement hunters, there are some great new ones to collect, and for newer players, the ability to save and reload your progress, a first for many classic titles.”
The video game company promised to add more nostalgic titles soon, aiming to expand the Retro Classic collection to over 100 titles.
Other companies in the industry have been sharing similar strategies in the past few months. Last year, Nintendo added classic games , including Mega Man: Dr. Wily’s Revenge and Mega Man II, for Nintendo Switch Online members, and Atari expanded its collection for its 50th anniversary .
